Sarga VI: Senānayana-kathana (111 Verses)

The sixth canto covers various aspects of war strategies and actual methodologies of fighting.

verses 1-10: Vyūhas–types and structure:

These battle-formations are designed gauging the enemy‘s as well as one‘s own strengths and weaknesses. The four basic vyūhas described are–Daṇḍa, Bhoga, Asamhata and Maṇḍala. The further sub-varieties of these four types of vyūhas are also enumerated.

They are:

(i) Daṇḍa (17)–Pradara, Drḍhaka, Satya, Cāpa, Bhūsvakṣi, Supratiṣṭha, Apratiṣṭha, Śyena, Vijaya^[1], Sañjaya, Viśālavijaya, Sūcī, Sthūna, Ākarṇa, Camūmukha, Sukhāsya, Vijaya.

(ii) Bhoga (5)–Gomūtrikā, Haṃsikā, Sañcārī, Śakaṭa and Karapatanti

(iii) Asamhata (6)–Ardhacandrikaṭaddhāra, Vajra, Śarkaṭa, Śṛṅgī, Kākapādī and Godhikā

(iv) Maṇḍala (2)–Sarvabhadra and Durjaya

Apart from these, certain miscellaneous battle-arrays are also enlisted. They are: Varāhī, Makara, Gāruḍa, Krauñca and Padma. These varied types arise due to the change in the constitution of the vyūha-limbs.

Tattvavivṛti on verses 1-6:

Not much of explanation is given the various vyūhas.

verses 11-30: Vyūha composition and battle considerations:

Following the list of vyūhas is the elucidation on how to distribute the army units in the different parts of the vyūha. Depending on the situation in the battlefield and to effectively thwart the battle-formation of the enemy, the king should move his four major divisions–ratha, gaja, turaga and padāti–as the situation needs. He should mix and re-mix the combinations and should be at the helm of the affairs and personally supervise the arrangements so that he gains victory. The king has to select his location in such a way that the fort could be reached in a day by a horse rider. The fort should be with rampart and necessary funds and weapons.

Tattvavivṛti on verses11-5:

The battle array with seven sections and the various ways in which the array can be redesigned to meet the enemy and his army is analysed well.

Tattvavivṛti on verses 16-20:

The various smaller and bigger officials, various craftsmen, the various accessories that are to be carried when a marching is ordered and all the details are analysed by going into the etymological derivation of each and every technical form used to enable the reader to understand the situation discussed in the text, clearly.

verses 31-40: Preparation for the march and the march:

Before marching, all arrangements should be made to guard the country. A part of the army should be kept in reserve; sentinels should be sent to check the path of march; during the march places like burning grounds and temples should be avoided; artisans and others should accompany the army; detachments of the enemy should be driven away; the king personally visits the tents of the allied kings and should always be surrounded by bodyguards.

Tattvavivṛti on verses 24-32:

Here the specific traits of the warrior who are to be sent in the front of the army are explained. In a similar fashion, the significant attributes of the soldiers who play different roles as surveyors and other artisans is detailed.The features of the fort where the king has to take refuge is discussed. The etymological derivations are suitably supplemented for the essential technical terms like mūlapratigraha.

verses 41-54: Army camp:

A pleasant spot, abounding in water reserves is to be located. Tents are to be erected for the soldiers and others. All necessary implements of war like weapon reserves, food, clothes, animals, vehicles, armours, medical aids, necessary utensils etc., should be gathered. Along with this necessary man-power like cook, physicians and attendants should be made available.

Tattvavivṛti on verses 46-54:

Profuse quotations from kośas, mainly the Amarakośa are given to facilitate good understanding of the defensive coverings and nets used to catch and fastening war animals.

verses 55-71: Role of the army units:

The warriors are drilled for general duty and trained to face any situation. They are trained to fight on foot, from the back of horse or elephant or from a chariot. In addition to these, the various ways of using elephants, chariots, cavalry and the infantry are explained here.

verses 72-80: Army commanders:

The commander-in-chief has to belong to a good family, be clever and be brave; to him the junior commanders shall report. And to these commanders the other commanders of each of the army units shall report. Policing of the army assumes significance to check enemy infiltration. The king is the supreme commander who oversees the commander-in-chief.

verses 81-7: Dos and donts in battlefront:

Transgressors are to be punished. Three shrewd generals, one chief and two sub-ordinate should make changes every day in the army distribution; the king shall also listen to this general who works like a minister and is fully devoted to the interests of the nation. The king should lead when confusion reigns.

verses 88-111: Awards & rewards:

Awards and rewards should be presented to brave soldiers for meritorious deeds and the different rewards to different kind of victory of individual soldiers according to their ranks is described. Also division of the booty, the pensions for the soldiers and provision of double wages are also elaborated. Hence, details shall be discussed in the fifth chapter.

Tattvavivṛti on verses 89-94:

It provides further notes on the criteria for the grant of awards and rewards. It specifies the manner in which the cash prize tapers down depending on the person killed being a second or third level camū or anikīni commander.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

See for explanation in IV. 3